21st March, 2017 Reflection Loving Father, So many times I turn away from you and always you welcome me back. Your mercy and love gives me confidence. Thank you for the invitation to share, fast and pray so that you can form a new heart within me. Your powerful compassion for my weaknesses leads me to ask for mercy and await with great hope the Easter joy you share with us.
Communication between home and school Good communication is vital within the school community. CRC Melton is, among many things, a workplace for 130 employees, and I have a duty of care for them, as do all employers, including the person or company you work for. In the last two years, I have observed an increase in the number of aggressive emails sent to staff from parents or guardians. I make the following points:
Parents and guardians are encouraged to give feedback about their child’s education to staff, including constructive criticism The best method of communication is face to face meetings, such as the Parent/Teacher/Student interviews being held next week I would advise parents not to send an email to a teacher (or for that matter a friend or family member) when they are feeling emotional or angry - no good comes of these emails. Sadly, these communications can contribute to some tragic outcomes* It’s worth remembering the old adage ‘there are two sides to every story’ before writing a letter of complaint about a teacher’s actions. At home, you would prefer to resolve a situation by sitting around the kitchen table and talking through the conflict before it worsens - the same goes for student/teacher/parent interactions
I have advised my staff to forward any aggressive emails to my office, and I will set up an interview with the family concerned. Does this mean the school is always right? No, but it means there are ways of resolving conflict that improve relationships between home and school. One of the best strategies a parent can adopt is to nurture an open and positive relationship with their child’s teachers. * http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/this-is-not-something-anyone-should-go-through-especially-over-a-job-thesickness-plaguing-our-princiapls-20161018-gs540f.html Showcase Well done to all staff and students involved in this year’s Showcase – I thoroughly enjoyed Thursday’s performance. Everything from a new take on Romeo & Juliet, through to Pirates, Sirens, Yellow Submarines and Jaws!! What a talented group of students and staff we have. Thanks to: Gemma Pentony, Amy Goldby, Michelle Moeser, Rebecca Cassar, Jules De Cinque, Elisabeth Falzon, Daniel Askew, Amy Rowley, Demi Hockaday, Nerida Thurn, Yvonne Wood and Sandra Hill. Mark Sheehan Principal
Parents & Friends There will be a Parent & Friends AGM on Wednesday 29th March at 7.30pm
Full-On Theatre, raise the heART and CRCM present, THE CHANGE
A theatrical experience that explores racism, community and belonging. The journey begins with an immersive physical labyrinth that the audience travels through. It’s full of installations that the performers bring to life and where you become part of the story that's unfolding. It features projections, actors, live music and cool sound designs. This is followed by a performance of THE CHANGE. This is more traditional short play in the theatre that includes an ensemble of actors, live music and screen projections. Based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, we follow the story of Ryan, (Romeo) from a racist white family and Zara (Juliet) from a South Sudanese family as they experience events based on real events in Melton over the last 2 years. THE CHANGE has been created by Year 8, 9 & 10 students in association with a professional theatre company. Performance for friends and families: Wednesday 29th March, 7pm Venue: Performing Arts Centre, Catholic Regional College Melton The links to purchase tickets are below and tickets are free. https://www.trybooking.com/PICQ or https://www.trybooking.com/269116 Term 2 Winter Uniform All students are required to wear the winter uniform at the start of Term 2; there is no transition period. The requirements are set out clearly below and in the student diary. It is clearly stated that the College Blazer is the external garment to be worn to and from school. Excuses of leaving the blazer at home or in the locker will not be accepted. Girls Blazer Winter Kilt Shirt Jumper Tie Tights Socks
Compulsory - It is the required external garment worn to and from school CRC Tartan length to knees White long sleeve shirt with CRC monogram. Can only be worn to and from the College if under the Blazer The College tie is compulsory Navy Blue Long Navy Blue
Boys Blazer Trousers Shirt Jumper Tie Socks Shoes
Compulsory - It is the required external garment worn to and from school Navy Blue with CRC monogram White long sleeve shirt with CRC monogram. Can only be worn to and from the College if under the Blazer The College tie is compulsory Navy Blue Black leather lace up school shoes
The PE uniform is only worn when the student has a timetabled PE or Drama/Dance class, or when otherwise specified by the College Leadership team. The winter PE uniform requires the wearing of the College rugby top or sports jacket as the external garment to school. CRC sport socks are compulsory for Years 7-11, Year 12 students can wear plain white socks instead of the CRC sport socks. We look for your support in ensuring your son or daughter is wearing the College uniform correctly to and from school. Students arriving late The School requires regular and punctual attendance at school and to all classes. Students must be at school throughout the hours of a normal school day, this includes homeroom at the start of the school day. Attendance enables proper continuity of programs, development of understanding, completion of work in class and dissemination of information. For students with a pattern of lateness they will receive discipline points and a possible after school detention. We are asking for your support to ensure your son/daughter is arriving to school on time and ready for homeroom at 8.48am. If a student arrives after the start of first period they must report to Student Reception to have their name marked on the roll. If they fail to do so you will receive an SMS message asking for an explanation of why your child is not at school. Rob Blackley Deputy Principal (Students)
From the Deputy Principal (Staff)
The weather has started off a bit wet for our Year 7 Camps. 7 A - C are there until Wednesday (and having a great time) and 7 D - R head off from Wednesday to Friday. Remember the spray jacket! Evacuation Drill As part of the College’s Emergency Management Plan, we ran an Evacuation Drill last Thursday afternoon. The drill went very well and students are to be commended for their approach to this event. Term 1 Reports and Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews Interim Reports are now available through our Parent Portal (PAM). If you have any difficulty accessing PAM, please contact the College Office or email itsupport@crcmelton.com.au. As part of the report, a recommendation on attendance at our first Parent-Student-Teacher interviews is included. Interviews are booked through our Parent Access Module (PAM). Interviews take place next week (March 30 & 31). On the Thursday, normal College classes operate but on the Friday, no classes will operate.
Thursdays Interviews: 4pm to 7pm Friday’s Interviews: 9 am to 1pm
It is expected that students attend interviews with their parents/guardians. To access P-S-T Bookings:
Log in to PAM At the top you will see the Parent Interviews link (click to enter) Then select your child (if you have more than one, each will be listed separately) Select the subject Choose an available time with that teacher Repeat for each class and child as needed. Use the print icon to print off your interview times.
End of Term 1 / Start of Term 2 The last day of Term 1 for students is Thursday, March 30. Term 2 begins on Tuesday, April 18. This will be Day 7 of our timetable. John Christie Deputy Principal (Staff)
News from the Director of Learning
Edrolo is a resource that we are using across several of our Unit 3/4 subjects including Psychology, Biology, Mathematical Methods, Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. Edrolo is a comprehensive, interactive and online revision and study program that is a fantastic resource for students in those classes. The program was created to comply with VCAA Study Design requirements and will guide students through their learning in these subjects and prepare them for their final examinations. Edrolo is broken into two main elements: Theory Master: Contains hundreds of videos and interactive quiz questions that reinforces the knowledge learnt in the class room and enables students to monitor their own learning progress. Exam Master: Online simulated examination questions offering video solutions for each question which gives students insight into their strengths and weaknesses in their learning. So how should these students use Edrolo? Students will be set homework on the program, they should be self-directed in watching the videos on topics they need more explanation in, completing the quizzes and using it for SAC and examination preparation, remembering that every question provides a video answer. It is timely that examination preparation has been mentioned. Students often seem to think that exams are some time away and that they have plenty of time to organise and study for them, but we all know that time flies and life is busy and assessments beforehand take time and unexpected ‘things’ happen. The best advice I can give for achieving to ones academic potential in both exams and timed assessment tasks is to plan and prepare. This means starting NOW! No student should ever claim they have no homework, they always have revision to do. To revise, they may prepare study notes or cue cards, complete questions, wider reading on the topic, redo questions and draft essays/reports for their teachers to look at. If your student is unsure as to how to go about planning and preparing for their exams, timed assessment tasks or even class tests, they should see their subject teacher who will be able to offer a range of strategies and advice on tackling their subject. Narelle Layton Director of Learning St Patrick’s Day Mass On Friday the 17th of March, a group of representatives from Year 10 were invited to celebrate mass for St. Patrick’s Day at St. Patrick's Cathedral in the city. The principal celebrant on the day was the Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart. Also in attendance was the Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews. The students are to be congratulated on the manner in which they conducted themselves throughout this special day. The Religious Education Department Uniform Shop Academy Uniforms are now operating the uniform shop. If you still have second hand uniform at the College to be sold we would appreciate it being collected by Thursday 30th March 2017. If second hand uniform has not been collected by this date we will donate it to our welfare department. Thank you. Opening hours: CRC Melton shop Monday 8.00am - 10.00am & Thursday 11.30am - 2.00pm (Not open in school holidays) Thomastown store Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm and Saturday 9.00am - 12.00pm 238 Wolseley Place, Thomastown. Online ordering is now available: www.academyuniforms.com.au Password: Melton
Melton International Women's Day Event - Inspiring the Next Generation
It was an incredible honour for myself and School Captain, Athyang Akec, along side Miss Nowak, to attend the City of Melton's High Tea event hosted by the Mayor, Sophie Ramsey. It was an exclusive gathering with incredible and inspiring women who have achieved amazing things in celebration of International Women's Day. Invited to mingle with the professional women were young female leaders from other secondary schools within the region. With this opportunity, we were gifted with stories and advice in relation to leadership, advocacy and turning dreams into action. Athyang and I heard stories of small organisations turning big that were initiated by passionate women. From business women, volunteers and teachers, all were able to offer valuable advice in regards to becoming a successful woman for the greater good of society. We would like to express our greatest gratitude to our school for selecting us to attend such a prestigious event. We were left very inspired to apply the advice we received within our own community and promote equality with men and women of all ages, races and religions. Chloe Laurel Year 11 Deputy SRC Executive
Will Your Easter Eggs Be Slavery-free?
“..every person ought to have the awareness that purchasing is always a moral and not simply an economic act.� Pope Francis 2015 Cocoa is a key ingredient of chocolate. Much of the chocolate sold in Australia is made using cocoa beans picked by children, many of whom have been bought as slaves, or forced to work in exploitative conditions. The International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) estimates that there are 1.5 million children working in the cocoa sector in Ghana in West Africa. Did you know that the Easter eggs in Australian supermarkets might be made with cocoa beans picked by children, many of whom have been enslaved or forced to work in exploitative conditions with no access to education and other human rights? What ethical Easter eggs will you enjoy this Easter? Spread the word about slavery-free Easter chocolate and enjoy chocolate that carries any of the following symbols on the wrapper.
2017
Calendar
Term 1
Homework club is in the Library Wednesday’s 3.30 – 4.30pm until last week of term
March 22nd 23rd 24th 28th 29th
30th 31st
Year 7 Camps Year 7 Camps Year 7 Camps Full on Theatre Workshop Year 11 Reflection Day SACCSS Swimming Full on Theatre Student Performance Senior Cricket Grand Final Europe Trip leaves Full on Theatre Family Performance Parents & Friends AGM PST Interviews PST Interviews (No classes) Term 1 concludes
Term 2 April 18th 19th
20th 21st
Homework Club
Term 2 starts Senior AFL Year 8 Cyberbullying Workshops Year 7 Premier League Parenting Strategies Evening Year 7 Cyberbullying Workshops Year 10 History Excursion Year 9 Forensic Science Day
Mass Times Parish of Melton Parish Priest : Fr Michael Moody Assistant Priest: Fr Geoffrey McIlroy Weekend Mass times: St Catherine of Siena Church Bulmans Rd, Melton West Saturday: 6.00pm Sunday: 9.00am & 11.00am Sunday: 5.00pm St Bernard’s Parish Parish Priest: Fr. Fabian Smith Assistant Priest: Fr John Paul Mount Fr Patrick Bradford Weekend Mass times: Saturday: 6.30pm Sunday: 8.30am & 10.00am
St Anthony’s Parish Parish Priest: Fr. Fabian Smith Assistant Priest: Fr John Paul Mount Fr Patrick Bradford Weekend Mass times: Saturday: 5.30pm Sunday: 8.30am & 10.30am